SUCTION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR USE IN LAPAROSCOPY

Abstract

 Suction control apparatus (101) for controlling suction flow rate during laparoscopic surgery, comprising a suction flow path (102) between an inlet (103) connectable to a suction collection system (105) comprising at least one fluid collection canister (106), and an outlet (105) connectable to a suction-generating vacuum source (107) operable to generate a vacuum source vacuum pressure level that produces a vacuum source suction flow rate within the suction flow path (102). The suction control apparatus (101) comprises a vacuum pressure level regulator (201) operable to regulate the vacuum pressure level within the suction flow path (102) to a pre-set, user non-adjustable regulated maximum vacuum pressure level. The suction control apparatus (101) further comprises a user-adjustable suction flow rate controller (202) operable to control the suction flow rate in the suction flow path (102).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to suction control apparatus, in particular to controlling suction flow rate during laparoscopic surgery.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure in which investigations or operations are performed within the abdominal or pelvic cavity using a laparoscope inserted into the body through a small incision made in the skin, typically near the navel. The laparoscope has a camera and light, and allows internal structures to be seen clearly on an external visual display screen. Laparoscopic surgery, which is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery, allows a surgeon to access and view the inside of the abdomen and pelvis of the body without needing to make large incisions in the skin. In addition to the laparoscope, tubes, probes, small surgical instruments and suction and irrigation sets can be introduced into the body as required using the same or other small incisions.

[0003] During a laparoscopy procedure, the abdomen is inflated with a gas in order to obtain more easily intelligible images from the laparoscope and also to increase the room inside the abdominal and pelvic cavities in which the surgeon can work. During the course of surgery, fluid is pumped into the abdomen to clean the surgical site and suction is used to remove this fluid along with any other bodily fluids and tissue. Hand-held laparoscopic suction and irrigation sets are known that comprise two separate channels, which, in use, are connected one to a suction unit and the other to an irrigation system, and a handle housing a valve arrangement and provided with buttons to allow a surgeon to control suction and irrigation functions. With this system, suction has to be left turned on downstream of the handle throughout the procedure.

[0004] Historically, hospital central suction systems, to which a hand-held laparoscopic suction and irrigation is typically connected, are designed for providing relatively high levels of suction over relatively short periods, and are not designed for providing maintained levels of suction for long periods of time. It is known for a hospital central suction system to provide suction at a generated vacuum pressure level as high as 750 mmHg.

[0005] Often, laparoscopic suction and irrigation sets are operated using the maximum vacuum pressure level available from the hospital central suction system. Consequently, suction collection canisters, which are used to store fluids removed from a patient during surgery and which are usually made from a plastics material, are subject to excessive long term applied stress. Over time, there develops a considerable risk of implosion of the suction collection canisters. Clearly, it is desirable to prevent failure of the suction collection canisters to safely contain collected fluids.

[0006] In addition, in existing systems, when the surgeon demands suction by operating the relevant button on the laparoscopic suction and irrigation set handle, a high suction flow rate is immediately generated under a high vacuum pressure level from the hospital central suction system. The laparoscopic suction and irrigation set does not provide the surgeon with any control over the suction flow rate. Consequently, if the flow rate under suction exceeds the flow rate of medical gas being pumped into the abdominal cavity, the abdomen will start to collapse. This not only has the effect of restricting the surgeon's view of the surgical site, but also limits the length of time the surgeon can use suction and necessitates a period of resting to allow for reinflation of the abdominal cavity.

[0007] Currently, in the UK at least, there are no working guidelines concerning maximum safe levels of vacuum pressure and suction flow rate during surgical procedures.

[0008] During surgery, safe suctioning is achievable using a relatively high suction flow rate at a relatively low vacuum pressure level. However, the suction flow rate produced in the laparoscopic suction and irrigation set by the suction system is affected by multiple factors, including the degree of differential pressure created under the operation of the suction system, the viscosity of the matter being suctioned, and also the flow resistance due to features of the apparatus such as tubing, Therefore, the vacuum pressure level required to achieve a particular suction flow rate can vary between different laparoscopic suction and irrigation sets. From a different perspective, the suction flow rate produced within different laparoscopic suction and irrigation sets operated using the same suction system and the same vacuum pressure level can vary. It is further to be appreciated that the flow of fluid during suctioning may be laminar or turbulent, with this aspect also affecting the relationship between vacuum pressure level and suction flow rate.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to a first aspect there is provided suction control apparatus for controlling suction flow rate during laparoscopic surgery, comprising: a suction flow path between an inlet and an outlet, said inlet connectable to a suction collection system comprising at least one fluid collection canister, and said outlet connectable to a suction-generating vacuum source, said suction-generating vacuum source, when connected to said outlet, operable to generate a vacuum source vacuum pressure level that produces a vacuum source suction flow rate within said suction flow path; a vacuum pressure level regulator operable to regulate the vacuum pressure level within said suction flow path to a pre-set, user non-adjustable regulated maximum vacuum pressure level; and a user-adjustable suction flow rate controller operable to control the suction flow rate in said suction flow path.

[0010] In an embodiment, the suction flow rate controller comprises a flow control valve.

[0011] In an embodiment, the suction flow rate is adjustable with a range having a pre-set user non-adjustable lower limit and a pre-set user non-adjustable upper limit.

[0012] In an embodiment, the suction control apparatus may further comprise a user-operable over-ride valve operable to bypass the vacuum regulator and the suction flow rate controller.

[0013] In an embodiment, the suction control apparatus further comprises a flow rate indicator for indicating the suction flow rate within the suction flow path.

[0014] In an embodiment, the suction control apparatus further comprises a vacuum pressure gauge for indicating the vacuum pressure level within the suction flow path.

[0015] In an embodiment, the suction control apparatus is housed by a suction control unit. The suction control unit may then be mountable to a trolley for supporting at least one fluid collection canister.

[0016] In an embodiment, the pre-set, user non-adjustable maximum regulated vacuum pressure level is in the range between a lower limit of equal to or greater than 250 mmHg and an upper limit of less than or equal to 350 mmHg

[0017] In an embodiment, the suction flow rate is adjustable within the range between a lower limit equal to or greater than 10 litres per minute and an upper limit less than or equal to 100 litres per minute.

[0018] The outlet of the suction control apparatus may be connectable to a hospital central vacuum system or a portable electric suction unit.

[0019] According to a second aspect there is provided apparatus for use in performing laparoscopy, comprising suction control apparatus according to the first aspect.

[0020] Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

[0021] Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I shows a diagram of laparoscopic suction and irrigation apparatus comprising suction control apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic of the suction control apparatus;

Figure 3 shows a suction control unit housing the suction control apparatus; and

Figure 4 shows the suction control unit mounted to a trolley.

Description

[0023] Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0024] The present invention provides a safe suction system with flow rate control, for use by a surgeon during laparoscopic surgery.

[0025] A diagram of laparoscopic suction and irrigation apparatus comprising suction control apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The suction control apparatus 101 comprises a suction flow path, indicated at 102, between an inlet 103 and an outlet 104. The inlet 103 is connectable to a suction collection arrangement, indicated at 105, comprising at least one fluid collection canister 106. In the example arrangement shown in this Figure, the suction collection arrangement comprises a series of four collection canisters, which have a plastics material-based fabrication. The outlet 104 is connectable to a suction-generating vacuum source 107. In the example arrangement shown in this Figure, the suction-generating vacuum source 107 is a hospital central suction system port. A laparoscopic suction and irrigation set 108 is also shown. The laparoscopic suction and irrigation set 108 has a suction channel 109 connectable to the suction collection arrangement 105, and hence connectable via the suction collection arrangement 105 to the inlet 103 of the suction control apparatus 101, and an irrigation channel 110 connectable to an irrigation system. When the suction-generating vacuum source 107 is connected to the outlet 104 of the suction control apparatus 101, the suction-generating vacuum source 107 is operable to generate a vacuum source vacuum level that produces a vacuum source suction flow rate within the suction flow path 102.

[0026] In an application, the suction-generating vacuum source 107, to which the outlet 104 of the suction control apparatus 101 is connected, is a portable electric suction unit.

[0027] As mentioned above, in an application, the suction-generating vacuum source 107, to which the outlet 104 of the suction control apparatus 101 is connected, is a hospital central suction system.

[0028] It is known for a hospital central suction system to provide suction at a generated vacuum source vacuum pressure level as high as 750 mmHg, and problems related to this high level of vacuum pressure have been experienced by surgeons performing laparoscopic procedures.

[0029] It is found that fluid collection canisters are subject to excessive long term applied stress under prolonged high suction levels, which can lead to the fluid collection canisters imploding or failing. The risk of collected fluids not being properly retained is an undesirable health and safety hazard. In addition, it has been found that the suction flow rate produced under such a high vacuum pressure level can be greater than the flow rate of medical gas being pumped into the abdominal cavity, causing the abdomen to deflate. Consequently, internal images displayed to the surgeon are impaired and progress is hindered as the length of time the surgeon can use suction is constrained and periods of rest time are required to allow for reinflation of the abdominal cavity.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a schematic of the suction control apparatus 101. The suction control apparatus 101 comprises a vacuum pressure level regulator 201 operable to regulate the vacuum pressure level within the suction flow path between the inlet and the outlet to a pre-set, user non-adjustable maximum regulated vacuum pressure level. The vacuum pressure level regulator 201 is advantageously operable to reduce the vacuum pressure level within the suction flow path to a regulated maximum suction vacuum pressure level that is less than the vacuum source vacuum pressure level produced in the suction flow path by the suction-generating vacuum source to which the suction control apparatus 101 is connected.

[0031] Thus, the vacuum pressure level regulator 201 of the suction control apparatus 101 can be factory set to a maximum regulated vacuum pressure level that has been predetermined to be a safe pressure vacuum level for surgical procedures and fluid collection canisters. This safe maximum regulated vacuum pressure level is user non-adjustable. It is to be appreciated that the pre-set maximum regulated vacuum pressure level to which the valve regulator 201 of the suction control apparatus 101 is factory set may vary between particular apparatus and intended applications.

[0032] In an embodiment, the pre-set, user non-adjustable maximum regulated vacuum level is in the range between a lower limit of equal to or greater than 250 mmHg and an upper limit of less than or equal to 350 mmHg. In an example, the pre-set, user non-adjustable maximum regulated vacuum level is, or is approximately, 300 mmHg.

[0033] The suction control apparatus 101 further comprises a user-adjustable suction flow rate controller 202 operable to control the suction flow rate in the suction flow path. In this illustrated embodiment, the suction flow rate controller 202 comprises a flow control valve. In an embodiment, the suction flow rate is adjustable within a range having a pre-set user non-adjustable lower limit and a pre-set user non-adjustable limit.

[0034] Thereby, the suction flow rate control valve 202 is beneficially operable to allow a surgeon to reduce or increase the suction flow rate, as desired, during surgery. Using this function, the surgeon can overcome issues with unwanted abdominal cavity deflation.

[0035] In an embodiment, the suction flow rate is adjustable in the range between a lower limit of equal to or greater than 10 litres per minute and an upper limit of less than or equal to 100 litres per minute. However, it is to be appreciated that the range within which the suction flow rate is adjustable may vary between particular apparatus and intended applications.

[0036] Preferably, and in this illustrated embodiment, the suction control apparatus 101 comprises an user-operable over-ride valve 203 operable to bypass the vacuum regulator 201 and the suction flow controller 202. Using the over-ride valve 203 the surgeon can selectively opt to obtain a short burst or boost of higher suction as required. In this way, potentially useful higher suction provided by the suction-generating vacuum source can be utilised on demand.

[0037] Preferably, and in this illustrated embodiment, the suction control apparatus 101 comprises a flow rate indicator 204 for indicating the suction flow rate within the suction flow path. In this way, a useful visual display of the suction flow rate is provided. This allows the surgeon to readily monitor the suction flow rate and conveniently use the display as a guide when making adjustments that affect the suction flow rate. The flow rate indicator 204 may take any suitable form, and may include such features as alphanumeric characters, symbols, colour coding, a dial, a digital display.

[0038] Preferably also, and in this illustrated embodiment, the suction control apparatus 101 comprises a vacuum pressure level gauge 205 for indicating the vacuum pressure level within the suction flow path. This provides a helpful visual indication as to the operational vacuum pressure level at any time. The vacuum pressure level gauge 205 may take any suitable form, and may include such features as alphanumeric characters, symbols, colour coding, a dial, a digital display.

[0039] It is to be appreciated that the suction control apparatus 101 may comprise further componentry or features.

[0040] Figure 3 shows the suction control apparatus housed by a suction control unit 301. The suction control unit 301 comprises a casing 302.

[0041] The inlet 103 and outlet 104 of the suction control apparatus may be provided with any suitable connection elements for allowing connection to a suction collection arrangement and suction-generating vacuum source respectively. In an example, a tubular element extends from the outlet 104 and it provided with a plug for connection to a socket associated with the suction-generating vacuum source.

[0042] A manually operable element 303 is provided to allow operation of the suction flow controller 202. In this embodiment, the manually operable element 303 is a dial. The suction flow controller 202 and manually operable element 303 may be arranged to allow selection of any suction flow rate within an available range of suction flow rate (continuous range) or may be arranged to allow selection of one of a plurality of discrete suction flow rates within an available range of suction flow rate (distinct value range).

[0043] A manually operable element 304 is provided to allow operation of the over-ride valve 203. In this embodiment, the manually operable element 304 is a push button. Preferably, and in this embodiment, the manually operable element 304 is a momentary push button such that the over-ride function operates for only as long as the push button is depressed.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the suction control unit 301 is mountable to a trolley 401 for supporting one or more fluid collection canisters, such as fluid collection canister 106. The present invention thus provides suction control apparatus advantageously comprising a suction flow path with a pre-set, user non-adjustable maximum vacuum pressure level for regulating the maximum vacuum pressure level within the suction flow path and a user-adjustable suction flow controller for adjusting the suction flow rate within the suction flow path. The suction control apparatus of the present invention thus beneficially provides for suction to be performed at a vacuum pressure level not exceeding a predetermined maximum safe vacuum pressure level and at a selectable suction flow rate.

[0045] The suction control apparatus of the present invention is of particular applicability in the field of laparoscopy. Suction control apparatus as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, is usable during laparoscopic surgery to limit the vacuum level to a maximum, safe vacuum level yet allow the suction flow rate to be adjusted within a range of suction flow rates.

[0046] The present invention provides suction control apparatus, in particular for controlling suction flow rate during laparoscopic surgery. The present invention also provides apparatus for use in performing laparoscopy that comprises the suction control apparatus. The present invention further provides a laparoscopic suction and flow control system.

[0047] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Suction control apparatus for controlling suction flow rate during laparoscopic surgery, comprising:

a suction flow path between an inlet and an outlet,

said inlet connectable to a suction collection system comprising at least one fluid collection canister, and

said outlet connectable to a suction-generating vacuum source, said suction-generating vacuum source, when connected to said outlet, operable to generate a vacuum source vacuum pressure level that produces a vacuum source suction flow rate within said suction flow path;

a vacuum pressure level regulator operable to regulate the vacuum pressure level within said suction flow path to a pre-set, user non-adjustable regulated maximum vacuum pressure level; and

a user-adjustable suction flow rate controller operable to control the suction flow rate in said suction flow path.

2. Suction control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said suction flow rate controller comprises a flow control valve

3. Suction control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said suction flow rate is adjustable with a range having a pre-set user non-adjustable lower limit and a pre-set user non-adjustable upper limit.

4. Suction control apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a user-operable over-ride valve operable to bypass said vacuum pressure level regulator and said suction flow rate controller.

5. Suction control apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a flow rate indicator for indicating the suction flow rate within said suction flow path.

6. Suction control apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a vacuum pressure level gauge for indicating the vacuum pressure level within said suction flow path.

7. Suction control apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, housed by a suction control unit.

8. Suction control apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said suction control unit is mountable to a trolley for supporting at least one fluid collection canister.

9. Suction control apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein said pre-set maximum regulated vacuum level is in the range between a lower limit of equal to or greater than 250 mmHg and an upper limit of less than or equal to 350 mmHg.

10. Suction control apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lower limit is equal to or greater than 10 litres per minute and said upper limit is less than or equal to 100 litres per minute.

11. Suction control apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said outlet is connectable to one of: a hospital central vacuum system, a portable electric suction unit.

12. Apparatus for use in performing laparoscopy, comprising suction control apparatus as claimed in any of claims I to II.

13. Suction control apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompany drawings.

14. Apparatus for use in performing laparoscopy, comprising suction control apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompany drawings.

15. A laparoscopic suction and flow control system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompany drawings.

Drawing